France 96-0 Namibia: Hosts run up the score in hopelessly one-sided Rugby World Cup encounter

France achieved their record World Cup victory with a 96-0 drubbing against Namibia, but will be sweating on the fitness of skipper Antoine Dupont who went off with a head knock in the second half.

Dupont was struck by Namibia captain Johan Deysel in the side of his head a few minutes into the second half and immediately left the field, being taken to hospital for a suspected fractured cheek.

The host nation made 12 changes from the unconvincing 27-12 victory over Uruguay last week, bringing back their big names, and from the first whistle they dominated in Marseille’s Stade Velodrome.

Damian Penaud scored a hat-trick, while Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Charles Ollivon all scored twice.

Thibaud Flament, Dupont and substitutes Baptiste Couillard and Melvyn Jaminet also scored, while Thomas Ramos kicked 12 conversions.

France have a fortnight off before they play against Italy in the last game of Pool A, which they lead with three wins from three.

The moment when Deysel’s head caught the French captain on the cheek, a foul which not only saw the opposition captain red-carded but also denied Namibian substitute Divan Rossouw a try, will be replayed ad infinitum on French television. If the scans confirm a fractured cheekbone the face of the tournament will be on the sidelines for at least three weeks. After that he may be able to return with a face mask, but the possibility remains he could miss the rest of the tournament. Hopefully he will be able to return if not for the quarter-final than for the last two games. France likely winning the group, assuming they do not lose to Italy in their final game, means they should face the loser of Saturday’s clash between Ireland and South Africa in the last eight. Both will be a lot more confident if they do not have to face the great No9.

One-sided games can sometimes be dull as the superior side easily dominates the other with superior athleticism and strength. Dupont made this a breathtaking spectacle. The kick for Bielle-Biarrey’s first try epitomised his class, running along the line drawing at least three defenders and then hitting an inch-perfect kick which the winger just had to catch and dive over. The way he made the kick knowing that he was about to get crunched showed his bravery, which later would see him suffer.

France: Ramos 8, Penaud 8, Fickou 8, Danty 8, Bielle-Biarrey 9, Jalibert 7, Dupont 10, Baille 7, Mauvaka 7, Atonio 7, Woki 7, Flament 8, Cros 8, Ollivon 8, Jelonch 8.

Replacements: Bourgarit 7, Wardi 7, Aldegheri 7, Taofifenua 7, Boudehent 7, Couilloud 8, Moefana 7, Jaminet 7.

Namibia: van der Berg 7, Mouton 6, Deysel 4, Burger 6, Greyling 6, Loubser 6, Theron 6, Sethie 6, van der Westhuizen 7, Coetzee 6, Tjeriko 6, Ludick 6, Katjijeko 6, Retief 6, Gaoseb 6.

Replacements: Nortje 6, Benade 5, Shifuka 6, van Lill 6, Blaauw 6, Izaacs 6, Roussow 7.

6′ TRY FOR FRANCE! Dupont has the vision to kick across the field to the unmarked the winger who has time to wait for the ball to bounce and then dive over.

9′ TRY FOR FRANCE! Danty touches down after great awareness from Bielle-Biarrey who caught a kick at full speed at the intersection of touchline and try-line and flicked the ball inside to his centre. There was a check for a forward pass but the video referees are fine with it.

21′ TRY FOR FRANCE! Bonus point secured already. Penaud races down the inside for his second. His 26th in 28 games. He could even that ledger by the end of the game.

39′ TRY FOR FRANCE! Penaud races through the middle of the field before passing outside to Dupont who scores a popular try.

40+1′ TRY FOR FRANCE! What a kick from Dupont, left-footed and just as he was about to get clattered. He produced a perfect dipping kick for Bielle-Biarrey to catch and touch down in the corner.

46′ TRY FOR NAMIBIA – OR IS IT? They bring it back for a high head-on-head contact on Dupont, which ruins a try for substitute Rossouw. Deysel goes off with a yellow card for the headbutt. Dupont goes off, let’s hope he’s not hurt. The head crashed against his cheek by the looks of it. DEYSEL OFFENCE BEEN UPGRADED TO A RED!

64′ TRY FOR FRANCE! Namibia looked like they might score when Greyling intercepted a pass and kicked the ball forward into the 22. But the ball was then played to Bielle-Biarrey on the touchline who raced diagonally inside and around the last defender before diving over for his second try.

76′ TRY FOR FRANCE! Ramos with a long pass to Fickou who perfectly sets free Jaminet to run in and score. Ramos’ conversion gives France their record World Cup score.

79′ PENALTY TRY! And another red card for Namibia as they illegal stopped a charge for the line with Benade their second player to get a red card.

87 – The former record World Cup winning score from France, when they beat the same opposition 87-10 in 2007.

13 – The number of tries Penaud has scored in this calendar year, beating the record held by Phillipe Saint-Andre set in 1995.